Do you see this woman?

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 7:36-50

We know this story. We know it too well.
The sinful woman...
THAT woman and her extravagance.
But she is the foil.
She's there to make us "see" Simon
and the Simon in us.
The story is about Simon...the one with a name.

Can anyone really identify with THAT woman?
She makes us nervous with her intimate and unsettling behavior.
Now Simon, he is all too familiar.

Jesus notes how that woman:
Gave
Bathed
Wept
Kissed
Kissed more

Jesus then notes Simon's:
Inattention
His self righteousness
His calculated reservation

Her contrition and gratitude are so free.
She is so free.
She doesn't seem to notice...or care
that Simon is looking down his nose at her.
She is utterly fixated on Jesus.

"Do you see this woman?"

Picture Simon.
His arms are crossed
His head is knowingly shaking from side to side
He's enjoying the conversation he's having with himself.

"No. What woman?"

Simon sees a type...a kind...those kind.

BUT JESUS LOVES SIMON!!!
He loves him.
He wants him to see.
He is inviting Simon into that movement from sin to grace.
a movement THAT woman appears to understand.

The Simon in us is invited.
"Do you see this woman, this -----?"
I want to say "Yes".
Yes...I see.
And, Yes...I love.